Fall sports coaches interviews

Football Coach Jeremy Zimmerman

What do you think the team needs to work on to have a successful season? “A lot of determination, focus and discipline in our packages.” Do they work well as a team? Do they help each other out? “They’re working well together right now. They have the true spirit of a real team.” What are some of the team’s challenges? “Every opponent we face.” What do you predict about the team this year? “To be better than last year. Be a better team at the end than from the beginning.” What is one of the team’s strengths? “We have some good senior qualities. What are some weaknesses? “Discipline in our assignments.”

Volleyball coach Alberto Castro

What do you think the team needs to work on to have a successful season? “The team needs to work hard and place meticulous attention to the finer details of the game and put those components together to build a formidable squad. Each player must bring the X factor to their practice and game. When all players do, the varsity volleyball team will be running on all cylinders.”Do they work well as a team? Do they help each other out? “So far this year’s varsity team is working really well together. We have a core of seven seniors returning and they are bringing an impeccable work ethic with a balanced approach and a great coachable attitude. With the returning seniors, we have one sophomore and two freshmen on the team. The upperclassmen have taken it upon themselves to teach the younger girls and the team chemistry is building everyday. It is very exciting to watch!” What are some of the team’s challenges? “One of the teams’ greatest challenges is adapting to the faster and more intense play of the varsity level. The seven returning seniors are well versed on the intensity level. The seniors roles will be to teach and guide the younger players so they can be ready to play at the level and carry on that tradition into the years to come.”What do you predict about the team this year? “Every year the team is different. We have a strong core of seniors with experience mixed in with a talented underclassmen group. I predict this team will win some games and give their friends friends,family and fans exciting games.”What is one of the team’s strengths? “Our strength is our ability to practice hard and have a great attitude and balanced approach to the game. Our greatest strength is the team’s respect for each other. They are a fun group who works hard.”

Badminton coach Erika Resch

What do you think the team needs to work on to have a successful season? “The game as a whole and there are a lot of new people, and it’s looking good.” Do they work well as a team? Do they help each other out? “Definitely! Returners are helping the newcomers and it’s helping both of their games out for sure.” What are some of the team’s challenges? “Tough opponents with Chandler schools.” What do you predict about the team this year? “I predict we’re going to do well on our region. Also, do better than we’ve done before in state.” What is one of the team’s strengths? “They’re all hard workers and there’s a lot of athletes this year.”

Girls golf coach Michael Bostwick

What do you think the team needs to work on to have a successful season? “We need to work on sound fundamental golf play.” Do they work well as a team? Do they help each other out? “Yes, the girls are always encouraging to each other. That makes us have a lot of fun.” What are some of the team’s challenges? “The biggest two challenges are all of the beginners and our number of girls.” What do you predict about the team this year? “We are going to get well, train hard and get better.” What is one of the team’s strengths? “All the girls have a great attitude every day.”What are some weaknesses? “All the golfers and beginners.”

Boys golf coach Michael Jacobs

What do you think the team needs to work on to have a successful season? “Increasing our participation numbers. We currently have five golfers and would like to see this continue to grow.” Do they work well as a team? Do they help each other out? “Our team has been very supportive of one another because they are all learning to play for the first time.”What are some of the team’s challenges? “Endurance is a attribute all our players are working to improve as well as academic eligibility.” What do you predict about the team this year? “Each of our players will improve their individual scores and finish the season having to beat at least one opponent in their match.”What is one of the team’s strengths? “Our players do a great job of motivating each other and have done a phenomenal job of representing Carl Hayden.”

Girls cross country coach Diana Roman

What do you think the team needs to work on to have a successful season? “Work hard and be committed, not give up.”Do they work well as a team? Do they help each other out? “Yes, it is a small team but they support each other. This will be important all year.” What are some of the team’s challenges? “We do not have a full squad, unfortunately, but they are very strong mentally. They endure temperatures of 110° outside.”What do you predict about the team this year? “They are going to improve in their times.”What is one of the team’s strengths? “They support each other.”